ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - In just five years, a West Texas polygamist sect transformed 1,700 acres of scrubland near Eldorado into a bustling ranch.

The Associated Press reports the property -- which bought for $700,00 -- turned into a complex with a limestone temple, three-story log cabins, woodworking shops and a dairy.

Assessed value of the property now: 20.5 million dollars.

So how did members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do it?

The compound has drawn attention since last month's raid in which more than 460 children were removed -- by the state of Texas -- amid concerns they'd been abused.

As for the ranch, AP reports the men quarried limestone themselves from the hard ground and built the enormous homes with their own hands.

But as for where they got the money for building materials, dump trucks, rock-cutting equipment and other supplies, that is still something of a mystery.

Court-appointed attorney Jeff Shields, who is studying the sect's finances, says they're investigating who funded the place.

Records show the sect paid $424,000 in property taxes last year, or about 18 percent of Schleicher County's annual revenue.

Sect spokesman and attorney Rod Parker says he doesn't know how the ranch and equipment were purchased or why the group never sought tax-exempt status.

Four men listed on Yearning for Zion corporate documents have no listed phone numbers in Texas.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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